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A :N D T H K 



GREAT SLOCUM DINNER; 



WITH INTRIIIILiCMRV REMARKS AND ANNOTATieNS. 



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PKO VIDENCE: 
SIDKEY S. RIDER & BROTHER. 

1870. 



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ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, BY 

SIDNEY S RIDER & BRO., 
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Rhode 

Island, in the year 18fi9. 



J 







^ 



3 



ntroduction. 




HE two Squibs which the Messrs. Eider rejn-o- 



^^- ilace first appeared in times of unusual political 
^"^excitement, and enjoyed a local reputation which 
could not be expected to survive the circumstauces 
of their origin. Eidicule has always been an effective 
weapon in political warfare, and it has seldom been 
more freely employed than in the fierce contests of 
Rhode Island, where satire has vied with denuncia- 
tion, and wit has embellished if it lias not softened 
the rude encounters of political strife. 

If the writer of the Dorhtad liad any poetical 
reputation at stake, he wouhl not risk it by repub- 
lishing, at this distance of tinu^, A^erses which derived 
their whole point from local and temporary incidents 
that have mostly passed (jut of mind ; and i-ej)ro- 
duce, before a new generation, a burlesque which 



4 



owed its cliief applause to the favorable audience to 
wliicli it appealed. It would have been very difficult, 
at that time, to put anything in the Providence 
Journal wliicli the Law and Order men would not 
have laughed at, on due notice that it was funny. 
And while the cause of Law and Order was under 
priceless obligations to the polished rhetoric of God- 
dard, the close logic of Pitman and the wStirring 
appeals of Whipple and Ames, it was not slightly 
indebted to the slashing and saucy wit, the sarcasm, 
the irony of that circle, of which Pivers was con- 
fessedly the chief And we shall not claim undue 
credit for candor, when, at this distance, we confess 
that some of the propositions which we were compelled 
to use were so specious in themselves, and so fasci- 
nating to the popular mind, that they were easier 
lauo'hed down tlian arofued down. 

The DoRRiAD was commenced with the intention 
of continuing it, from time to time, till more of the 
events on wliicli it was founded had been sung in 
mock heroic verse. The cares and labors of a daily 
paper prevented the execution of the design till the 
time for it had passed. 

The Slocum Dinner, unlike the Dorriad, was the 
work of several hands. It originated in this wise : — 
Mr. Slocum, a very respectable and worthy citizen of 
Glocester, — who had been a member of the General 



o 



Assembly, — a man wliose native good-sense liad not 
been impaired by over cnltivation, was a strong adhe- 
rent of the suffrage cause, and a vehement assertor of 
its principles. One of his propositions was this : "if 
the sovereignty [the 'Algerines' always charged that the 
Dorrites pronounced the word in three syllables, ' sov- 
er//nty'] does not reside in the pe()|)le, where, the hell, 
does it reside ? " This was not a pro|)osition to be 
aro-ued down, and it was much easier to laugh at it than 
the graver task of showing that the nn([uestioued truth, 
did not authorize a change of government, on the 
strength of a popnlar demonstration, withont legality 
or evidence of authenticity, and that even popular 
sovereignty, short of revolution, could be exercised 
only under the forms of law and in obedience to con- 
stitutions. So this and perhaps some other propositions, 
from the same source, were put in the Journal, credited 
to Slocum on the Constitution. And one day, tliis para- 
graph appeared in tliat pa})er : — 

" Distinguished Arrival. Mr. Slocum, the distin- 
guished writer npon constitutional law, has arrived 
in this city. It is proposed to give him a public 
dinner, at the clam house, near Field's Point. The 
subscription paper may be found at the Fish Market." 

It was not till some weeks later, that it occurred 
to some of the writers of the Law and Order party 
to elaborate this idea into a report of the imagiuarj 



6 



festival. And then, it was started in fnn, witli but 
half an intention of publishing it, and with none 
whatever of drawing it out at such length. It was 
written by Samuel Ames, Avho afterwards adorned 
the chief seat on the bench of the Supreme Court, 
Greorge Kivers, whose wit was not unworthy of com- 
parison with that of Selwyn or Sheridan, Thomas A. 
Jenckes who now .represents the Eastern District in 
Congress, William P. Blodget and Henry B. Anthony. 
Parts were written seperately, and portions of it were 
written out on the common suggestion of all ; and the 
whole was subjected to the mutual and jolly criticism of 
the entire company, all of them wondering if it would 
sound as funny to the public as it did to themselves. 
While they were engaged upon it, in the Editor's 
room of the Journal Office, Mr. Goddard came in, to 
read the proof of one of his ringing "Old Narragan- 
sett '' articles, and the laughter with which that master 
of the English tongue received it went far to assure 
them that they had not ventured beyond the forbear- 
ance of the public taste. 

To fully illustrate the Slocum Dinner, by explana- 
tory notes, would require much greater space than 
is occupied by the text, so frequent are the allusions 
to matters of temporary and local interest. This has 
not been attempted, but a few notes have been added. 
If to those who reperuse it, after the lapse of a quarter 



of a century, it fails to conic u}) to tlicir youthful 
memories, tbev will find tliat tlie S locum Dinner is 
not the only production upon Avliicli maturer years 
review tlie judgments of youth; and if those who 
have known it only by reputation, fail to recognize 
the merit that has been ascribed to it, they must 
remember that much of its force was due , to the 
occasion, and that it could be appreciated bv tliose 
only wlio lived and acted in the time. 




}\t IJorriad 



The Attack on the yki^ENAL. 




II' impatient chiefs looked on with ire, 
Blanched was his cheek, but tenfold fire 

Was flashing in his eye. 
He threw his martial cloak aside, 
And, waddling up — he meant to stride — 
" Give me the torch," with fury cried, 

" And, d it, let me try ! " 

He seized the match with eager hand, 
While backward his brave soldiers stand ; 
Three times he waved it in the air, 
The cursed Algerines to scare. 
And bid them all for death prepare ; 
Then down the glowing match-rojDe thrust, 
As though he'd have the cannon burst. 

2 



10 



Had tliev wot put the hall in firstj 
It very likely would. 

But, liark ! what sounds astound the ear? 
Why turns each hero pale with fear? 
What blanches everj^ lip with fright ? 
What makes each " General" look so white? 
And e'en the Grovernor looks not quite 
As easy as a Governor might. 

The mingled toll of twenty bells, 

The solemn note of warning tells ; 

And through the ranks the word has past, 

" The Algerines have come at last! 

They're turning out in every street, 

Their tyrant swords we soon shall meet. 

Already in the torches' glare. 

Their bayonets gleam in Market Square. 

Weybosset trembles 'neath their tread, 

Tliro' Westmixster their ranks are spread ; 

And all South Main and Benefit, 

AVith spears and flashing swords are lit. 

The Infantry are on the route, 

The National Cadets are out. 

And those all-fired Marines, about 

Two hundred men, all tall and stout. 

Nor Providence alone is stirred — 

Far down the Bay the news is heard. 

Greenwich hath sounded the alarms ; 

Newport and Bristol are in arms. 

The Kentish Guards, that know not fear. 

And half of Warren's half way liere. 



11 



From Papoose-Squaw tlic platoons pour, 
From NoosENECK Hill, from Sauket's Shore, 

From MoNTHAUP's grassy side. 
And if we linger here till light, 
From Alum Pond to Kingston IIetopii^ 

Will pour one living tide. 
Down Louisquisett\s stony steeps, 
Where dark Moshassuck slowly creeps, 

The note of warning peals ; 
From swift Pawtuxet's flirthest floods, 
And next we'll know, all Helbukn A\^oot)S 

Will be npon onr heels." 

Enongh was said, enough was lieard, 
They needed not another word. 
Away, like frightened sheep, they ran, 
And save himself, they cried, who can. 
Foremost to start, swiftest to run. 
Was the brave band (^f Buffington. 
Their gallent leader was not there ; 
Saltpetre he could never bear. 
While all was safe, there was not one 
More'fierccly brave than Bt'FFIN(;t()N. 
No other Captain talked so loud. 
No other Ca})tain step])ed so proud ; 
And had you seen him at the head 
Of his bold volunteers, you'd snid 
That if the State withstood his arms. 

At least the I/eii -roosts stood no chance; 
What could the yeomen from their farms, 

When such a knight took u]) his lance? 
But when he heard the hrelock click. 



12 



He suddenly was taken sick ; 

And wlien he found with grape they'd loaded, 

His valor all at once exploded. 

As pauses in the upper air 

Tlie carrier pigeon, just let fly, . 
And circling for a moment there, 

Starts home with never-erring eye, 
So DiSPEAU paused ; but not in doubt 

If he should run or he should stay ; 
But only paused till he found out 

The quickest and the shortest way. 
Then, straight as ever pigeon darted, 
He turned, and for his home he started, 
Down the steep hill rolled like a bucket, 
Nor stopped until he reached Pawtucket. 
His men had sworn not to desert 

Their gallant leader, come what might, 
And when they saw how he " cut dirt," 

True to their oath, they joined the flight. 

Like hunted deer they flew 
O'er Christian Hill, down Bko AD way's height 

And At well's Avekue. 
K some few chanced to lag behind. 
The fault was in their legs and wind. 

When the " Invincibles "^ tarned tail. 
The other corps began to quail, 

And looked which way to fly. 
The "Haemonious Reptiles" turned about, 
The " Pascoag Eipguts " joined the rout, 

With Glosters chosen chivalrv. 



18 



Up looked the "Johnston Savages," 
(For they liad thrown upon the ground 
Their carcasses at the first sound 

Of "fire," and shut up both their eyes.) 
Some on all fours and some upright, 
They joined in the disastrous flight. 

Of all the leaders who went forth 

To court the dangers of that night, 
Carter alone and Horace Pearce 

Kemained until the morning light. 
But where, you'll ask, was Parmenter ? 

And where was Burrington ? 
From honor's post did Bailey stir ? 

Did John S. Harris run? 
Where was the eloquent John A. ? 
Wliere was the mighty Dutee J. ? 
And say, did Levi run away ? 

Yain questions ! seek not, Algerine, 
The motives of such men to scan. 

Know that great patriots seklom mean 
To share the dangers that they plan. 

Enough for them to point the way 

And leave the rest to meaner clay. 

These men, in the beginniug, saw 

They were for council, not ibr war. 

They kept within their proper sphere, 

And never went to danger near 
Enough to run away. 

Too well tliey loved the people dear, 

Not tc> regard their servants fate. 



u 



They saved themselves to save the State, 

And kept out of the fray. 
Yet doubt not that they were as bold, 
As those whose warlike deeds I've told, 
And had they been as frightened, would 

Have run as fast as they. 

Far from this scene of fearful strife. 
The Doctor" passed his quiet life. 
For though the Algerines he spurned. 
For though with patriot lire he burned, 

And in the battle, to be won, 
He longed to take the foremost part. 
Yet ill, he knew, the healing art 

Could spare her favorite son. 
Around his brow the laurel green 

Was tainted by no battle breath. 
He never harmed an Algcrine, 

Unless he physicked him to deatli. 
Peaceful tl^e triumphs of his name. 
And beer and hot drops .all his fame ! 

Anxious the Doctor spent that night, 

And anxious spent' the day, 
For well he knew the hour of light 

Had come and passed away. 
But if the " people " in their might. 

Had risen from the frny. 
Or scattered, in inglorious flight, 

They crushed and broken lay. 
He knew not, and his manly heart 
Longed in their fiite to bear a part, 



If) 



Whatever it might be, 
Wliether their triumph lie should sing, 

Or their defeat bewail. 
While thus lie stood, a man rushed in, 
Fresh from the battle's dust and din, 
" News from the ' people's' cause I bring, 

This paper tells the tale." 
A light on John A.'s visage sped ; 
He snatched the paper, but he read 

Defeat instead of victory. 
Trembling with fear, despair and rage. 
He shook aloft the damp Xew Age, 

And shouted Soverwmitv. 
Eun, DisPEAU, run ; down, Governor, down, 
Were the last words of Doctor Brown. 




I 




The Chepachet Campaig 



N. 



^J^HERE'S ,t>'atherino' on T-xhode IslaniVs sliore 

^i^j There's mustering on each hill ; 
From every plain her 3^eomen pour ; 

Spears every valley fill. 
The people, rousing in their might, 
Are armed for vengeance and foi- fight ; 

And woe unto the Algerine, 

Whose luckless neck may stand between 
The people and their right. 



On Diamond Hill the heacondight 

Is blazing fierce and high ; 
The answering flame on Acote's hei<2:ht 

Is flashing to the sky. 
O'er Chepi-Chuck'* the banners flout 

And rings tlie warning cry ; 
And hark ! the signal-gun speaks out 

From Holmes's Brewerv. 

3 • 



18 



From Cliipinoxet Point tliey tliroug; 
From Quidnick Pond they pour along,, 

From Petaqnamscut's stream ; 
From fair Woonasqiiatucket's banks ; 
From Devil's Foot, the patriot ranks 

With swords and bayonets gleam- 
In Baker s Hollow, see, they meet, — 
They're thronging fast in Federal street, 
And Shingle Bridge and Scrabbletown, 
Beneath their weight are breaking down. 

From Yawgoo Pond, from Rice's Mill, 
From Mishniek Swamp, fj-om Shannock Hill,. 

From Nipmnck's qnarried height. 
From broad Quidneset's plain they start, 
All swift of limb, and trae of heart, 

All eager for the tight. 

And from those regions dark and hilly, 
In Grlocester and " Burrillvillv,'^ 
Where old romance her charms hath thrown, 
And wonder claims the land her own ; 
Where savage tribes are said to roam. 
And savage beasts still keep their home ; 
Where, startling np from rock and glen, 

Fierce cannibals their faces show, 
And " Anthropphagi, and men 

Whose heads beneath their shoulders erow." 



to' 



For now the martial Governor Porr 
Hath buckled on that sword for war, 



19 



And swears lie is determined for 

The Algerines to rout. 
With him D'Wolf and Potter stand, 
And Charley Ne\Yell draws his band, 

And General Sprague so stout 

Brave Ekler Bullet' takes the lield, 
And manv a heart, untaught to yieldj 

Beats eager for the fray ;— 
His war-steed Sheldon mounts upon^ 
The " tricksy Ariel " urges on, 

And Slocum points the way. 

Forenlost in courage and in skdl, 
A¥ith laurels won on Federal Hill^ 
The Woonsocket Light Infantry 
Press on for Dorr and victory. 
Each soldier true, to fear a stranger. 
Or "fearing nothing except danger.''^ 

But not alone on native ranks 

Did freedom's sacred cause recline ; 

The cry of "Beauty and the Banks," 

Aroused the patriots o'er the line ; 

Connecticut her heroes sent ; 

ISTew York her fiercest warriors lent ; 

"With eloquence the Five Points rung ; 

The Pewter Mug delighted hung 

On Slamm's appeals, on Hopkins' tongue. 

Mike Walsh, with twenty Spartans true, 
To Governor Dorr's assistance flew, 



20 



And patriotic gifts were made, 
The cause of freedom's liope to aid. 
What Allen ofave, beyond my reach is ; 
But Yanderpoel gaye — seyeral speeches I 
Two yirtues, in old Sparta\s code, 
With most conspicucnis lustre glowed. 
Courage in war, thieying in peace. 
Such were the glories of old Greece. 
If Michael's Spartans did not quite 
Their Grecian namesakes match in fight, 
In courage, and in lofty feeling, 
They more than made it up in stealing. 
And well thy barn-yards, Foster, and 
Full well thy hen-roosts, Glos'ter, know 
The prowess of the Spartan Band, 
The weia'ht, the force of MichaePs blow. 

Cleyeland, Connecticut's great chief. 
Promised assistance and relief ; 

And Morton pledged his name, 
Should Heayen and clams giye him the power. 
The suffrage folks might, in that hour. 

Old Massachusetts claim. 

And Hubbard, mightiest of the host, 
New Hampshire's Solon and her boast. 
By his great ancestress had sworn — 

(That Old Mother Hubbard, 

Who went to the cupboard 

To get her poor dog a bone,) 
The suffrage banner should be borne. 
His granite hills upon. 



21 



Ne'er men so true in cause so good, 
As tliose on Acote's lieiglit, that stood 

Burning witli patriot rage. 
Ill would it suit iny Inimble verse, 
Their many virtues to rehearse. 
Rather to Charlestown's^ records go. 
Rather let Moyamensing show. 

And Auburn's glowing page. 
Rather let Blackwell's Island tell 
The storv that it knows full well, 
How budded 'neath its tender care, 
The flowers that cast their fruitage there. 

The Governor saw with conscious pride. 
The men who o-athered at his side ; 
That bloodv sword aloft he drew, 

And " list, mv trusty men," he cried— 
" Here do I swear to stand by you, - 

As long as flows life's crimson tide ; — 
Nor will I ever jneld, until 
I leave my bones ujDon this hill." 

His men received the gallant boast 

With shouts that shook the rocks around. 

But hark, a voice ! old Acote's'* ghost 
Calls out, in anger, from the ground, 

" If here your bones you mean to lay. 

Then d n it, I'll take mine away." 

Not mine to sing that dreadful night. 
When, scattered in disastrous flight. 
The pati iot forces left the height ; 



99 



Kot mine to sing tliat dreadful day, 
When all tlie ''people" ran away, 
And left tlie Algerioes full sway, 

To plunder as they might : 
Nor mine, to sing in mournful tunes, 
That " cooking stove," " them silver spoons^" 

Sad trophies of the fight. ^^ 

Some future poet yet shall stand, 

And hio'li the vens^eful strain shall lift ; 
Shall sins^ the horrors of that liand, 
Which, seized with sacrilegious hand, 

" Them lasting garters," Eispy Tift. 
Tremble, ye Algerines : the hour 
Is hastening, when, with sovereign powei*, 
The people shall their rights demand. 
And rise in vengeance through the land. 

Morton, with twice ten thousand men 
For Governor Dorr, shall cross the line ; 

Dispeau's broad banner shall again 
O'er serried ranks of thousands shine ; 
The exiles shall their footsteps turn 
Where freedom's hopes forever burn. 
On Acote's height, o'er Dexter's Plain, 
Freedom's wild shout shall burst again, 
And franchised freemen join the cry, 
For beauty, banks and liberty. 
Brown, shall his snow-white charger mount, 
Spencer, "undaunted," thousands count; 
And if Wales finds that Paixhan Gun^ 
The cause is safe, the State is won ! 



^^oten to thi{ IJorriad, 

J V 



1. The attempt to fire the gun which Dorr hroiight against the 
Arsenal failed, for some reason that was never exjilained. The 
match was aiii)lied to the priming, whicli resjionded only by a flash. 
It was said that Dorr, suspecting some treachery, repeated the 
attempt with his own hand, but with no better success. It was evi- 
dent that the communication had been cut oft' between the priming 
and the powder, in the chamber of the gun ; and it was believed that 
the touch-hole had been plugged by some of his own friends, whose 
counsels had been overborne, and wlio took this ])ractical mode of 
testifying against violence. The '' Algerines " said that the gun was 
loaded, ball first. 

2. The locations of ProA'idence and of the State mentioned in these 
lines are too well known to need. any descrij^tion. The " Pawtucl<et 
Invincibles" was the name of one of tlie companies, and it was alleged 
that the commander held to FalstafF's idea of the quality of valor. 
The other names assigned to the companies, we fear, were the in\ en- 
tions of the Algerines. 

3. An account of Dr. Jolui A. Brown is yiven in the notes to the 
Slociim Dinner. The New Age was the early organ of the insurrec- 
tionary party. 

[The following notes formed a part of the original jinblication.] 

4. Chepi-chuck is the original Indian name of which Cliepachet is 
a corruption. It signifies "Devil's bag." The question will naturally 
arise, if Chepacliet be the devil's bag, why he did not pull the strings 
of it when the heroes of Acote's hill were assembled. He will never 
have another such chance. 



24 



5. This pronunciation has been made classical by a noted political 
^character in Smithfield, to whom a home missionary presented a 
letter of introduction, with credentials of his appointment to preach 
in the interior parts of Rhode Island. 

6. The sobriquet of "Elder Bullet " was given to Dorr's Chap- 
lain, who amused his Sundays with the rather unclerical occupation 
of running bullets for Dorr's men. It is proper to say, in justice to 
the respectable denomination, with which this fellow claimed fellow- 
ship, tliat he was nev'er recognised by it, and never received license 
to preach from the Methodist or an}-- other church. He took up 
preaching as Dorr did government, on his own hook, or rather, in his 
own primary capacity. 

7. A strong partizan of the " Governor " once exclaimed, in his 
indignation towards an Algorine, who ventured to doubt the courage 
of that warlilve magistrate, that " Governor Dorr was as brave as any 
other man — he was afraid of nothing except daiujer." 

8. At least three of the leaders of the insurgent party have served 
their country in the prisons of Massachusetts ; and one. who has been 
particularly the object of their veneration, has been in the Charles- 
town State prison three times. 

9. Acote, the man who was buried on the hill that bears his name, 
was murdered, or committed suicide, near the spot. His ghost is said 
to haunt the place of his burial, and the wailings of his unquiet spirit 
are often heard, by the superstitious, on stormy nights. 

10. It is unnecessary to remind the reader of the atrocities, in the 
way of plunder, practised by the Algerines at Chepachet. History, 
ancient or modern, has nothing to compai*e with it. Wlien the con- 
quering Komans entered Syracuse, the victorious General gave strict 
orders to spare the house of Archimedes — but the Algerines, Avhen they 
entered Chepachet, did not respect even the household of Slocum, 
They entered the house of the inventorof thesovermnity, where they 
broke or cracked five tea cups, and so bent up one pewter plate as to 
render it entirely useless. For proof of this, as well as of some other 
things of hardly inferior enormity, the incredulous reader is referred 
to the affidavits published in the Express. 




[ociim 



IWMt 



HIS brilliant festival came off at the FiSH 
2y Market^ last Frida}-. After an early dejeuner a 
la fourchette^ at General Sprague's Hotel," the 
thunder of artillery on Acote's Hill announced to Che- 
pi-chuck and to the world that the great Slocum had 
liquored, and ^Yas ready to start on his triumphal 
march to Providence. A detachment of the Hakmoni- 
ous Eeptiles and the Pascoao Loafers was drawn 
up in front of the hotel, to receive the illustrous guest, 
and to escort him, as far as their safety would permit, 
to the Smithlield line. Some delay was occasioned by 
a dispute between the two companies, eacli claiming 
the right. ^ This was settled by each company taking 
a different side of the road, with the great Slocum 
between them. In this way he proceeded to the city, 
riding in his own elegant and commodious white cov- 
ered carriage. A number of coal carts, from Buck 
Hill, which were accidentally^ going the same way, 



26 



joined the procession, and added greatly to its imposing 
appearance. The procession moved on in silence, in- 
terrupted only by shonts of welcome from the eager 
population, pressing on each side, to get a glance at the 
man whose fame had filled their ears, and only stop- 
ping for necessary refreshment at the houses erected by 
humanity for the entertainment of man and beast. 
At Korth Providence, the procession was received by 
the surviving remnant of the Pawtucket Invinci- 
BLES,* that gallant band which suffered so terribly in 
the action before the Arsenal. Colonel Despeau was 
still at their head, and under his command the Invinci- 
bles escorted the procession to the city. 

Arrived at the line of the city, the procession 
marched through Hardscrabble, up Hughes street, down 
Stamper and Benefit, up Olney's Lane, through Feather 
Bed Alley to the Bed Bridge, where they took scows, 
and passing by the crowded wharves, landed at the 
Fish Market. A profound silence was observed as the 
boats passed Whatcheer,^ but an enthusiastic and 
irrepressible shout rose from the crowded scows, when 
they came in sight of Suffrage Eock. The pro- 
cession was received at the Fish Market steps with 
nine guns (corresponding in number to the nine law- 
yers,'' authors of the immortal opinion) from the 
Paixhan'' presented to Col. Wales by Capt. Pond. 
Some difficulty was at first experienced in getting the 
powder, but a good suffrage man finally stepped for- 
ward, in the most magnanimous manner, and offered to 
give the committee credit for the necessary amount, 
adding, wdth a patriotism worthy of Dorr himself, that 
he did not care a whether he got his pay for it or 



27 



not ; there was plenty more wliere tliat come from, 
and any fool could break open a powder diouse.^ 

The Fish Market had been swept only the week 
before, and of course everything was clean and in 
order. It was brilliantl}' lighted Avith fifteen tallow 
candles. The walls were liumi; with strino:s of fishes 
heads and tails, gracefully festooned, and appropriately 
ornamented with crossed oyster rakes and eel spears ; 
the plates were nailed down, the knives and forks were 
chained to the table, and everj' thing was genteel and 
comfortable. At the head of the table was a trans- 
parency bearing the immortal maxim, "If thesoverm- 
nity does not reside in the people, where does it reside?" 
Portraits of Morton,^ Hubbard, Cleveland, Guy Fawkes 
and Wat Tvler were executed in chalk and charcoal 
on the walls, and chalk sketches of Collins and Bene- 
dict Arnold were handed round at the table. Loud 
applause shook the walls as the "venerable Dilling- 
ham"-^° took the chair as President, supported on his 
left by Parmenter, and having on his right the great 
Slocum himself, the band playing "See, the conquer- 
in 2; hero comes." 

The following bill of fare was placed upon the 
table : — 

Table d'hote. 

Premiei^ service de table. 

Soupe maigre de I'eau de clams. 

Potage d'anguilles, a la Carpentiere. 

Potage des entrailles des poissons, a la Fish market. 

Entrees. 
Frais clams crudes. 



28 



Puaiites clams crudes. 

Clams cults au four en llierbe d'auguilles. 

Clams bouilles en ecailles. 
Clams frits en rum de Nov Angleterre. 
Clams cults a I'etuvee en rum fait dans les Indies 
Occidentales. 

Les entrailles de poissons fricasee en I'eau de bilge^ 

Les scuppes en lait, a la convention du 2)eople. 

Poisson du diable, a la Jolin R Waterman. 

Les anguilles de mud, a la scow. 

Dubertus a la Dorr." 

Sbeepshead a la Bill Scbmidt. 

Gudgeons a la Wales. 

Poissons de bladder et de gone suckers, a la Atwell. 

Poissons volantes, a la Sajles. 

Poissons damagees a la Pero Martin. 

Entremets. 

Snouts de clams au naturel. 

Les dames de lobster frits en lamp-oil. 

Snouts de clams, maitre d'hotel. 

Bones de Dorr, trouvee en moDt d'Acote, grdles.^^ 

Fruits. 

Pommes de terre crudes, en vinaigre. 
Les oignons frits en from age. 
Les oio'nons crudes avec rum et Teau. 
Peanuts a la Leland.^^ 

Liqeurs. 

L'eau pure de pump de ville, 1815. Yery scarce. 

L'eau naturel de Cove. 

Liqeurs de Saunders print-works. 



29 



Liqeur de clams. 

Kum fait dans Nov Aimleterre. 

Gin Aniericane. 

Viskie occidentale. 

Biere de pop, a la Doctenr Brown." 

Clieese, biscuits de marine, et long nines, ad lib. 

When the cloth was removed, the lollowing regular 
toasts were drunk, corresponding in number with the 
nine lawyers : — 

1. The venercdde DilUngliam — True to his princi})les, 
he has spent the best part of his life in working out 
his convictions. 

Music — ^^ Rogues MarcJi.'' 

The President rose, somewhat agitated. While he 
felt complimented beyond expression, b}^ the Hattering 
toast just given, he felt that some slight injustice had 
been done towards him in the tune bv which it had been 
followed ; and he seized the present opportunity to 
repel, with what he was certain the company would deem 
a proper spirit, a ialse accusation to which his prom- 
inent position in the cause of the peoj^le had exposed 
him, and of which his enemies had not hesitated to 
take advantage. He had been accused of being a State 
Prison convict ; he repelled the imputation indignantly. 
He had been honorably discharged, three times dis- 
charged, and here (drawing his certificates from his 
pecket) are the triumphant proofs of it. If it be true 
that a man is innocent till he is proved guilty, how 
much more true must it be that a man is innocent after 
he has worked his time out. How superlativel}' inno- 



30 



cent, then, must tliat man be who has three times served 
out the sentence of the law. Such a man has a claim 
upon his country and upon his fellow-citizens. Could 
any other gentleman present, he would not even except 
Parmenter, sliow three such evidences of character? 
He repeated the expression of his unfeigned gratitude 
for the compliment, and for the enthusiasm with which 
it had been received. He then begged leave to propose 
the second toast. 

2. David Parmenter^^ — Algerine persecution at- 
tempted to bury his talents in a prison, but truth and 
justice triumphed — through a flaw in the indictment. 

3. The Caiyenier of Rouen (ruin) — His work will 
soon be completed. 

4 The Hero of Che^Mchet—Tlie "rightful Gover- 
nor.'' Tiie democracy Avould liave gladl}^ run him, 
had he not decided to run himself. 

Music — ^^Bun, hoys^ runy 

5. Thomas W. Dov)\ Perez Simrnons^ Aaron White, 
jr., Welcome B. Sayles, Charles E. Newell — 

" True patriots they ; for, be it understood, 
They left their country for their country's good." 

Music — " Tliere came to the heacli a poor exile of 
Erin:' 

6. George Washington and John Tyler — The Alpha 
and Omega — the head and tail of American liberty. 

Major Ennis^*^ here arose, evidently much affected. 
He stated that he was unspeakably glad that the 
democracy of Rhode Island had a just aj^preciation of 
the merits of the chief maofistrate of the nation. All 
naturally looked to this hio;h ofiicer for honor and even 



31 



support; and his nntiriiig efforts in f^worof the Amer- 
ican navy wonld ever concentre npon him the regards 
of a free and enlightened people. A few more dis- 
bnrsino: officers judiciouslv added to this oTeat estab- 
lishment of the nation, and it wonld be complete. 
Major Ennis added, that whilst he was nj) he would say 
a word about his own eonsistencv, which had been 
frequently attacked. It was true that owing to his 
having had the haj^piness to introduce Gen. !\rcNeill 
to some pleasant ladies in N^ewport, tlie General, as a 
matter of personal courtesy, had ])laced him upon his 
staff^ but he could assure tlie democracy present that 
he never intended them the least injury, and that on 
one occasion, if he did not positively refuse, he utterly 
neglected to bear an order for a detachment to advance 
to the attack of his fi-iends on Acote's Hill. His own 
position was somewhat similar to that of Gen. Carpen- 
ter, who was not indeed on tlie staff of Gen. ^McNeill, 
but influenced him to accept his appointment, and 
aided him in the issuing of his orders. Nothing more 
need be said concerning his consistency, which had 
thus received the pi-actical apju'obation of the Com- 
mander-in-chief In fine, he mioht sav witli truth, 
that nobody was, or could be injured b}- his ap])oint- 
ment, and the public schools of Newport having 
received his pay, a portion of the deposit fund had by 
his means been thus restored to its original destination. 
He could not conclude Avithout proposing tlie health 
of the pi'csent incumbent of the office for which his 
friend Mr. Atwell was a candidate. When the history 
of this State sliall be Avritten, its bi'ightest page will be 
the administration of Governor Dorr, and the brightest 



32 



page in the liistory of that administration will be the 
one Avhich records the forensic triumphs of Titus. 
Never shall his name be forgotten, although as Gen. 
Carpenter justly remarks, in the letter which has given, 
the climax to his consistency, life is exceedingly nncer- 
tain. And when he shall have passed away, a grateful 
and far distant posterity shall write upon his tomb in 
in letters of livino^ lio-ht: — ^ 

"Here lie the bones of Jonah Titus, 
He's dead and gone and can't indict us," 

Mr. Titus replied in a very happy manner, and con- 
cluded with the following toast, in allusion to the sub- 
stitution of Mr. Atwell for Mr. Titus in the new prox : — 
Tlie Attorney OenaxdsJiip — 

" This oflftce, true, 
Was made for Titus, but for Atwell too.'' 

7. Ghauncey F. Cleveland— The Connecticut eagle, 
wdio Gfcnerouslv lent wino-s to our i)ursued and flying; 
T)orr. 

Music — " Fly envoy ^ fly away.'^ 

After the applause, excited by this toast, had sub- 
sided, the following letter from the distinguished gen- 
tleman complimented Avas read : — 

Executive Chamber, ) 
Hartford, 1843. i" 

Gentlemen: — I regret that mj attendance as com- 
mander-in-chief of this State, at the Killingl}^ muster, 
will jirevent me from joining you at the Slocum festi- 
val. The tn^ops in that quarter have earnestly solicited 
me to re-review them, and I do not feel at liberty to 
deny their request.^" I rejoice to hear that Gov. Dorr 



^H 



is comfortably housed at Concord, and shall never cease 
to regret that circumstances wholly iinforseen by him 
should ha\'e necessarily rendered his stay in Connecti- 
cut so short. Present my high regards to his Excel- 
lency, and assure him tliat relavs of horses Avill be 

t ' f.' 

provided for hinj, in this State, whenever he shall be 
disposed to make one of his rapid jonrnies to and from 
that wliich he so ably governs. Has his Excellency 
received a requisition which I addressed to him, but 
which, from its being sent to Khode Island, I fear, has 
fallen into the hands of Acting Governor King? As 
a toast, I will oifer — - 

MlUtarij genius — Best illustrated by the I'apid move- 
ments of Dorr, and the changing front of Carpt?nter. 
I have the honor, kQ. 

To Elislia Dillingham and others, Committee of Invitation 
to the Slocmn Festival. 

8. Marcus Morton^^ and B. 11. Collins — Posterit}'' 
wdll be at a loss which most to admire, the Governor, 
or the man wlio made him. 

Music — "" The Lifjl it- House ^ that star in tlie midst of 
the ocean. 

Governor Morton's letter was then read. 

ExECUTiyE Chamber, ) 
Boston, 18-13. ) 

Gentlemen : — Your note of invitation linds me so 
busy in the important and democratic w^ork of retrench- 
ing the salary of every officer of this Commonwealth, 
except that of the chief magistrate, that I fear I shall 
not be able to join you personally, in pajdng honor to 
the illustrous Slocuin. His exposition of the soverr?i- 
nity of the people does equal credit to his head and 

5 



34 



heart, and is but a fuller development of views long 
entertained and frequently expressed by myself I 
need hardly say, that any thing in the way of poultry, 
on the east side of Seekonk river, is entirely at your 
disposal, and especially for use at the festival. Should 
any of your lecturers or others choose to indulge them- 
selves in the Spartan amusement of thieving, on this 
side of the line, they may be assured that they will 
not be pursued by executive requisitions into Rhode 
Island.-'''' I deeply regret that Gov. Dorr has not yet 
consented to visit Massachusetts, and can only surmise 
that the difficulty is, that such have been my engage- 
ments, I have not yet been able to send him an invita- 
tion. Will the venerable Mr. Dillingham, with whom I 
became acquainted, in the course of my judicial labors, 
remember me to our mutual friend, Mr. Parmenter, 
with whom I had the honor to form an acquaintance 
in a similar way."^ Allow me, in lieu of personal 
attendence, to offer mij favorite sentiment, altered and 
adopted to your meridian : — 

The Kings EvW^ — It commenced in Rhode Island, 
spread into the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 
and if not speedily extirpated, bids fair to reach from 
Essex to Washington. 

I have the honor, &c. 

To Elislia Dillingham and others, Committee of Invitation 
to the Slocum Festival. 

Our illustrious Guest — Posterity shall speak of his 
efforts in behalf of the soveriwnity and History perpet- 
uate his name. 

After the applause elicited by this sentiment had 



85 



subsided, Mr. Slocum rose, evidently mucli excited. 
lie said tliat lie had not anticipated siicli a reception — 
lie did not mean to say tliat lie was not fond of clams 
and FISH — lie was very fond of tliein^to be sure, 
tliey are not in Lis line of business, and sometimes 
interfered with it, still lie was fond of tliem — veri/ — 
clams were decidedly a Borrocratic disli — rougli and 
hard outside, but within full of meat and liquor — 
(at the word LIQUOR, there was much excitement, and 
loud cries of "more rum," "bring me some gin," &c. 
&c. &c.) — When order was at length restored, Mr. Slo- 
cum proceeded — he had not intended any thing per- 
sonal — he spoke of clam liquor^ and hoped gentlemen 
would not consider themselves referred to, (" hear, 
hear," "give us a drink"). Mr. S. tiien romarked that 
he had much more to say (profound silence) ; but he 
had already spoken longer than he had intended — he 
would gladly have made some more extended remarks 
upon the " SOVERIX^^ITY " — but " clcuns " and ^' soverin- 
nitij^^ were so intimately connected, that what he had 
said of the former would apply equally well to the 
latter. He owed an apology for having detained his 
friends so long, but the importance of the subject upon 
which^ he had spoken seemed to demand it — (much 
sensation.) The last speech he had made was in the 
House of Eepresentatives under the old charter — it 
was upon the U. S. Bank — (loud cries "we remember 
it," " wa'n't it first rate," with much applause). Mr. 
S. said he had almost done (immense cheering) and 
would only detain his fellow-citizens to offer the fol- 
lowing sentiment : — 

The SIdrrilous Journal — It has blackguarded me 



S(> 



about enaugh.^^ (Daafening and long continued ap- 
plause, with cries of "hear/' "hear," "hurrah for Slo- 
cum," — -"go it soverinnityy) 

After the regular toasts had been drunk, the follow- 
ing letters were read from distinguished gentlemen ^ 
declining invitations to the festival. 

From General Carj^enler.-^ 

Providence, Feb. 23, 18.t3. 

Gendenien : — Your invitation to attend a dinner given 
at the Fish Market at Providence, to the patriotic 
Slocum, linds me much embarrassed by business of a 
peculiarl V important and pressing nature, and b}^ severe 
personal indisposition. Nothing, however, should have 
prevented me from joining you in tliis act of well 
merited courtesy, but necessary absence from the city 
on a visit to one fully entitled to the gratitude of the 
Suffrage party, for the humane manner in Avhich he, 
as Major-General Commanding, conducted the attack on 
Acote's Hill — the seat of your distinguished guest. I 
know you too well to suppose, that you would desire 
me to neglect one friend for the purpose of doing 
tonor to another. Be assured that my heart is with 
3^ou in your festivities, with no divided affections ; and 
that in the honor paid by you to one so unjustly per- 
secuted by the malicions and cowardly Algerines, I 
hail the advent of those better times which shall see 
the State, whose interests you have so much at heart, 
represented by a chief magistrate at home, as well as 
abroad, who, Avhatever may be his personal demerits^ 
may at least lay claim to the character of a sturdy, 
plain-hearted, consistent Democrat. Allow me to offer 



37 



A-oii the following sentiment, to be read at the table, if, 
as I hope you will, but fear jow will not, conclude not 
to indulge _yourselves with a cold water entertainment. 

The Democracy of, Acotes lliU^ suj^jjorted hy the 
Democracy of ilie Tockivotton House — Dorr, taught you 
how to advance — but not less deservino,- of your favor 
is he who taught you how to retreat. 

Acce])t, gentlemen, the assurances of my esteem, 
and believe me, with high consideration, to be your 
humble and obedient servant, &c. 

To Elisha DiHingham and others, Committee of Invitation 
of the Slocum Festival. 

After the applause which this had excited had sub- 
sided, the President proposed the following toast : — 

Our Candidate for Governor — Other men have been 
celebrated for single qualities of greatness ; he unites 
them all— the consistency of Atwell ; the valor of Dorr ; 
the honesty of Pearce : the candor of himself 

The following letter frcun Mr. Atwell-'^ Avas then 
read : — 

Chepachet, .Feb, 2J:, 1843. 

Gentlemen: — Your invitation to atter.d a dinner to 
be given to one "of the men of Glocester,'' my near 
]ieifrhbor, has been received, and commands mv earliest 
attention. Since the great meeting on Punnymede, 
when the bold barons of England, wrested from the 
tyrant John the charter of their liberties, I know 
nothing in history that can compare with the interest 
of your expected "festival of the people of Phode 
Island," at the Fish Market in Providence. "We live 
in highly favored times, when all the dignity of a 



38 



grecit political body can be thus easily secured to the 
hilarit}^ of a merely festive occasion — and " conven- 
tions " are daily held in which "clams " and "constitu- 
tions" are equally subjects of intellectual discussion. — . 
My professional pursuits have taught me to hold, as 
peculiarly dear, a character of consistency in opinions 
upon subjects involving popular rights. I have seen 
nothing to lead me to doubt, or in the least degree to 
affect my ^Uirgument^^ in the so called opinion of the 
nine lawyers, and trust by your efforts to be able soon 
to show to the world in the commanding post of pro- 
fessional elevation, to wliicli vour kindness induced 
me to aspire, that any meeting of " the people," wdiether 
held in a State or a iish-house — and whether composed 
of persons qualified or unqualified by law, to act upon 
matters of government — represents, in the language of 
your distinguished guest, "the sover/?niity of Rhode 
Island." I have only to regret that my professional 
avocations will prevent me from joining in your festivi- 
ties. Allow me to offer as a toast — 

" Slocmn and .the Soverinniiy — tlie great Barons and 
til e great Cliarter — History records no prouder triumphs 
of rio'ht over mio-ht." 

o D 

I am, 
With sentiments of the most unfeigned respect, &c., &c. 

Gov. Hubbard's letter was then read : — 

Gentlemen: — Your invitation reached me wdiile on a 
visit to Grov. Dorr, at his appropriate residence in Con- 
cord. I am happy to say that his excellency, though 
lame, is still in " fair running order," and remembers 
with pleasure the democratic festivities, both of fight 



39 



(lliglit) and feast, in wliicli, on the occasion of liis last 
visit to Eliode Island, he participated at Che])achet. I 
desire no greater honor for n\y administration of the 
government of the State, than tliat of having shielded 
" the man of the people " from the arrows of ontrageous 
fortune. I have afforded the Bonaj)arte of Khode 
Island his Elha;^ and it mast be yonr care to provide 
for him that triumphant return to which, like his 
great prototype, he so earnestly aspires. I need not 
add that the incessant care necessary- to Avatch over 
your interests here, must forbid my partici})ation in 
your festivities, at or near Pawtuxet. Allow me to 
suggest as a sentiment proper for tlie occasion — 

Tlioinas W. Dorr — A true sample of the modern 
democrat. His care of the people is only postponed 
to his care of himself 

He who fights and runs awa}^, 
Will live to fio-ht another day. 
To Elisha Dillingham, &c'. 

After this letter had been read, the following toast 
was drunk : — 

Gov. Huhhard — Better is it to be a Dorrdvceper in 
the sty of democracy, than to dwell in the silken tents 
of bank-bought aristocrats. 

By Aaron White, Jr., Esq. : — 

O woman, in thine hour of ease. 
Uncertain, coy and hard to please ; 
When pain and anguish wring the brow, 
A ministering angel thou. 

Music — " TJie Married Bal-e,'' — from the opera 
of Love in a Yillagc. 



40 



Mr. Harris being called upon for a song, gaA^e tlie 
following with great effect : — 

In good old charter times, _ 

AVhen we lived under King, 
Tliree roguish chaps"^ fell into mishaps, 

III doing a saucj thing. 

The first he was a cobbler, 
The second he was a doctor. 
And the third he was a fat lawyer, 
Three roguish chaps together. 

The cobbler he told lies, 
The Doctor he made small beer, 
And the fat lawyer made speeches, for 
To make the other rogues cheer. 

The cobbler got choked with his lies, 
The doctor Avent off in a smoke. 
And the devil clapped his chiAV on old Tom Dorr, 
With the charter under his cloak. 

By Colonel Newell :— 
The ladies of Glocester : — • 

Search Tom Dorr's ranks and all their kith. 

The fairest suffrage darters 
Will not compare with Kispy Smith,-' 
Who lost ^^ them lasting garters^ 

Mike Walsh and tlie Spartan Band — 

" Patriots have toiled, 
And in their country's cause FLED nobly." 



41 



Music — " Go it hoots:' 



Col Crooks of Bellin(j}iam — Equall}^ great in the bar- 
room and in tlie State House ; at mixing a julep or 
making a speech. 

To sooth the feelings of our friend^ 

The " venerable Dillingham," — 
We tried to send to Dedhani Jail, 

The men who went to Belliimiiam.^ 

Music — " No (jo^^ — from the opera of '• Miserj' loves 
company/' 

The annunciation of this sentiment called up Col. 
Crooks, of Bellinghani, who offered the following, with 
considerable appearance of excitement : — 

Show me the man, if any can, 

Who Morton's doctrine follows, 
Tliat Avould not sell his soul and all^ 

To get " nine Imitdred dollars.^' 

Music — " Put iiioiiey in tin/ jnrrseJ'' 

Bv Gen. Sprague ; — 

TJie Hon. W. IT. Smitli — While we regret tliat con- 
siderations ot a private nature have decided him to 
decline being a candi(hite for re-election, he may be 
assured that liis distinguislied exposition of lyrimary 
capacity and original nnliniiied '^ soverinnity,''' will retail 
a place in the grateful breasts of his admiring country- 
men. 

By Speaker Sayles : — 

Thomas TK Dorr — The Cicsar of Rhode Island : 
6 



1 



42 



The quick, decisive mind of Dorr, 

No chains of custom hampered, 
Like Caesar's, short his tale of war. 

He came. He saw. He scampeked. 

Music — " Dorrs Quickstep.'' 

Bj Colonel Dispeau : — 

Col. Samuel H. Wales — The Paixhan guu of democ- 
racy. 

Music — " The Minute Gun at Sea.'' 

The chairman then requested Col. Wales to recite 
the history of his travels and adventures in search of 
the Paixhan gun, but the Colonel declined on the 
score of mod est v. 

By Mr. Parm enter : — 

Our Chairman., the venerable DillinghaTii — He has 
done the State [of Massachusetts] some service, and 
they know it. 

The following was sent by Gov. Dorr: — 

Dutee J. Pearce^^ — He intended no fraud. " An 
honest man's the noblest work of God ! " 

By Timothy Hoskins of New Hampshire : — 

TJte Carpet-Bag and the ^^ Devil's Bag.''^^ — The one 
illegally seized by a man who did not care "a damn 
for the letter of the law," and the other pillaged by the 
"malicious and cowardly Algerines " under Gen. 

McNiell. 

After this toast General Carpenter's letter to Gen. 
McNiell was read, and when the "people" heard that 



48 



lie " knew all the orders," the old cradle of fish shook 
with applause. 

The following song was then sung with immense 
applause, by Col. Wales of the House of Eepresenta- 



tives :- 



Arab War Song. 
Tune — "Eosin the Bow." 

Come all ye bold lads of Eliode Island, 
Who rallied round Dorr and his crew, 

And give us jour votes and your voices, 
For '' General Tom " who is true. 

Come show the whole world that our spirit 
Is up again, '' sartain and sure," 

And push right ahead for our Tommy, 
Great TJiomas^ the honest and 'pure. 

Come forth, one and all, to the battle. 
Determined, our State, now to save — 

And strike for " the farmer of Gloster^^'' 
And Thomas^ the great, good and brave. 

A leader is he, who ne'er failed us, 
An ^^ Algerine GeneraV' is he — 

Then strike for " the friend of Chepachet,'' 
Then strike, my brave boys, and be free. 

So, for Tommy and Dorr, let's huzza, 
And never give over the fight, 

'Till the Algerine soldiers and cowards, 
Are put to inglorious flight. 



u 



We're engaged for the war and " we'll go it/' 
Our hearts are determined and stout — 

For the flag of ^^ ou?- GeneraV^ is flying, 
And Thomas F. C. we will shout. 

At this period, the attention of the venerable chair- 
man was directed to a person, near the foot of the table, 
who seemed to enjoy the proceedings (except the fare) 
amazingly, and was interrupted in his applause only 
by the continued attention which he bestowed upon 
the work of the distinguished guest upon the constitu- 
tion. He seemed frequentl}^ occupied in making mar- 
ginal notes. He was immediately called upon for a 
sentiment, song, or story. Without preface, he struck 
up the following song in praise of the Grovernor that is 
to be : — 

Air—" The Poachers." 

You all have heard of the lawyer 

Who's all things to all men. 
Who runs once more for Governor, 

And will be beat again. 
No doubt he loves the people well, 

And loves himself much more, 
He fights them when they're down, then grows 

More loving than before. 

When times grew dark and true men scarce. 

Where was this lawyer then ? 
Busy to stir men up to strife, 

Was found his tongue and pen. 



45 



But war was not tlie way for liiin 

To reach the cliair of State, 
The '"'' rascally insurgents ^^ he 

Abandoned to their fate. 

And from the conquering general's side. 

This liero nought couhl move, 
Except when urged to take a ride, 

Around the head of the cove. 
When peace returned, grown bokl again, 

Soft soaps the foes of law, 
And clearly proves to all that he 

Can run as well as Dorr. 

But, like the I'rog, who strove in vain, 

The ox's span to hll, 
This swelling knave will burst to find, 

''Old Durham "''^ beats him still ! 

The cry of ''''An Algerine ! An Algerine ! ^' wliich 
had been whispered in alarm round the table during 
the last verses, now rose to a shout ; the song was 
interrupted, and the singer was forced to leave the 
chorus of the last verse unfinished and make a precipi- 
tate escape. The violence of the pursuers, exercised 
indiscriminately on all they met, caused them all to be 
carried to the watch-house. It is unti-ue that the knives 
and forks were missing, as they were all chained to the 
table ; the charge against Parmenter, therefore falls to 
the ground. 

The " marginal notes " there taken, have been 
kindly placed at our disposal as above. 



46 



The above is but a faint outline of the proceedings 
at this great festivaL We hope that we may yet receive 
some further account of it. We were particularly 
anxious to present the letter from Gov. Dorr, but, 
probably from the same reasons which influenced the 
committee at the Boston festival, his letter was not 
read at the table, nor can we positively say that he was 
invited. 





Ijofes io th^ £rcat Jlo4um |linnc)i. 



1. This venerable, but somewhat unsavory structure stood, at the 
time, over the water, on Canal street, just above AYashington Bridge. 
It originally stood just above the Great Bridge, covei'ing a portion of 
the site now occupied by a more pretentious structure, erected for the 
accommodation of the horse railroad comi)anies, but was removed, by 
vote of the town, to its new locatiou. 

2. General Sprague was a foremost publican and politician in 
Chepachet, and held the commission of Major General in Dorr's 
militia. 

3. This refers to a fierce disiiute, which raged between two of the 
military companies of Providence, as to which was entitled to the 
right of the line, a dispute which some of their friends thought car- 
ried to a ridiculous point. 

4. The " Pawtucket Invincibles," was the name of one of the 
comi3anies organized in Pawtucket under the " people's constiiution," 

as the constitution under which Mr. Dorr claimed was called. 

5. What Cheer Farm was the residence of Governor Fenner. 
" Suffrage llock" was a name given to a large rock just below India 
Point, where several clam bakes were held by the suftrage party. 

6. The Nine Lawyers were the men who signed an opinion afiirni- 
ing the legality of a constitution adopted according to the theory of 
Mr. Dorr. 



48 



?. The Paixhan gun was considered a very formidable weapon at 
the time. It was only a 32-pounder, but those were not the days of 
Dahlgrens and Rodmans and Parrots. It was bought by the gov- 
ernment, during the insurrection; for what precise purpose it might 
be difficult to say; for in no probable contingency could it have been 
as serviceable as a Colt's revolver. But the effect in alarming the 
insurrectionary party, and in assuring the friends of Law and Order, 
was quite conspicuous. It was thought that, in. some way, equal 
damage to the one, and great safety to the other, rested in this terri- 
ble ordnance It was not brought into use, and the question whether 
it would have done most inischief at the muzzle or breech, was never 
exijerimentally determined. 

The election of Marcus Morton to the chief magistracy of Massa- 
chusetts was a matter of high congratulation to the Dorrite party, 
which he had steadily and conspicuously favored. And Col. Wales, 
in the exultation of the occasion, was persuaded, and we think Col. 
Blodget was mainly responsible for it, to ajjply to Governor Fenner 
for the loan of the terrible paixhan to tire a salute with. Those who 
remember Governor Fenner, " Old Durham," need not be told how 
fortunate it was, that when Col. AYales ax)plied, in person, at the 
What Cheer Farm, upon his mission, he was received by General 
Edward J. Mallett, the Governor's son-in-law, and not by the dough- 
ty old Governor himself. General Mallett explained to him the 
preposterous nature of the errand, and the reception which he would 
be likely to meet from the Executive, who, when he afterwards heard 
of it, exclaimed with more hard words than can be decorously re- 
corded, " does he expect to borrow the ordnance of the State to insult 
the authorities with ? " John F. Pond, a noted wag, formerly of Provi- 
dence, then of Worcester, on hearing of the misadventure of Colonel 
Wales, came down from the latter city, expressly, as he affirmed, 
to lend him a paixhan gun of his own, which, being made of a wooden 
pump log, was warranted not to burst. 

8. In the early part of the insurrection, some of the insurrectionary 
party broke open a powder house belonging to Duty Greene, and 
took the i)owder from it; a circumstance which the " Algerine" papers 
kept very fresh in the public recollection. 

9. Morton, Hubbard and Cleveland were the Governors of Massa- 
chusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut, and all of them favored 
the Dorrite party. 

10. Dillingham, a man advanced in life, and who had served in 
the war of the revolution, was a conspicuous member of the suffrage 
party. He was paraded on frequent occasions, at the head of proces- 



49 



sions, and on tlie i»latforin of ])ublic meetiii<>;>!. His name was tlie 
fii-st si^^ned to the petitions, and constant allusion was made by the 
papers on that side, to the importance and dislinetion of such an ad- 
vocate of the "eternal principles." He was styled "the venerable 
Dilllnoham, the patriot and hero of the revolution." But it appeared 
as the result of" Algerinc" researches into the criminal records, that 
Dillingham had served three terms in the state prisons of Massachu- 
setts, including, in all, nearly thirty years of his life. The last com- 
mittal was when hewas near seventv vears of aere. 

11. The charter contains a provision authorizing the taking of 
'■ whale, dubertus. or other great fish, it or them to inirsne unto any 
part of that coast, and into any bay, river, cove, creek or shore be- 
longing thereto, and it or them, n])on the said coast, or in the said 
bay, river, cove, creek, or shore belonging thereto, to kill and order 
for the best advantage &c." The word "dubertus" is not foun<l in 
the dictionaries, and that "great fish" has not been seen, except in 
the bill of fare at the Slocum Dinner. The Rev. Mr. Dehison, in his 
" Westerly and Its Witnesses," published in the Journal, quotes the 
following record, in wdiich honoi'able mention is made of this great 
fish :— 

" At a towne meetiuL^ held at Fevershame, (Westerly,) the 24th of 
Mar. h, IGSO— (N S. KWT)- 

" VOATED : That whereas sundry tish of considderable value have 
been formerly cast up within the confines of this towne; and have 
been monopolized by i)erti<>ulor i)ersons bellongingto other jnrisdict- 
tions, whereby his Majesty and subjects have been wronged of their 
just Rights and privilidges; And to ))rotect the like for the future. 
The Towne doe order, That if any AVhale, Dubertus, or other great 
fish of considerable value shall be cast uj) within the limmits of this 
Towne, the person or persons that shall first find it shall forthwith 
make the Authorities and Inhabitants acquainted with the same 
that his Majesties Riglit may be secured, and the remainder to be 
equally divided among the inhaliitants ; and the person or persons so 
doeing shall be duly Ilecompensed fortheir i)aines." 

12. It was said that Dorr had declared, when he encamped on 
Acote's Hill, that he would conqner or leave his bones there. 

13. Mr. Leland was the Democratic President of the Massacliu- 
setts Senate. It was said that he refreshed himself in the chair with 
that diet sacred to the drama— peanuts. 

14. Dr. Brown was a botanic ])hysician, and a manufacturer and 
vender of beer. His offii-e and shop were on South Main street. He 
was one of the leaders of the suffrage party, a man of more than or- 
dinary shrewdness, very good-natured. His great remedy was hot 
drops. His beer had a wide local celebrity, and whatever might 
have been its medical qualities, it v^as unquestionably palatable. 



50 



He removed to Delaware, where he has been a member of the Legis- 
lature. 

15. David Parmenter was a man of uncommon popular talents, 
and a great favorite, as a stumj? speaker. He was indicted for for- 
gery; but the indictment was quashed for an error. It charged that 
the crime was committed in Massachusetts, when the forged paper 
was only uttered there, the original oflence having been committed 
in Rhode Island. 

16. Major Ennis, a very genial and agreeable gentleman, of fine 
social qualities, was one of the few friends of John Tyler, then Presi- 
dent, and was understood to be an applicant for the position of 
Purser in the Navy. He had been on the stafi" of Gen. McNeill, who 
commanded the forces of the State; but had subsequently acted with 
the other partj' , and the Journal pitched into him for the inconsis- 
tency; and when Major Ennis exjilained at considerable length, it 
pitched into the explanation. As an evidence of his service in the 
" Algerine " ranks, it was stated that he had drawn his pay. And 
in reply to this, he said that he had directed that the amount should 
be given to the benefit of the public schools in Newport. 

17. Governor Cleveland had given some otfence by rather free 
comments upon the unsoldierly api)earance of a regiment of Connec- 
ticut militia, which he had recently reviewed, at Killingly. It was 
said that in a speech made to the men, he told them that they made 
the "meanest appearance" of any regiment that he had ever re- 
viewed. 

18. The constitution of Massachusetts provides that, in case of the 
failure of the people to elect a Governor, the House of Representa- 
tives shall sen J to the Senate the name of two of the candidates, and 
the Senate shall elect one of them. At the previous election, no 
choice was made by the people, and Marcus Morton's name was sent 
up by one majority. He received 174 votes in the House, John Davis 
^65, and Samuel E. Sewall 8. Collins, who had been elected as a 
Whig, voted for Morton, and Lis vote gave him just a majority. Col- 
lins was soon afterwards appointed keeper of a light-house, and 
people naturally "put that and that together." Some hen-roost 
thieves from Seekonk had crossed the line, and plundered the poul- 
try yards of the farmers, on the Rhode Island borders. A requisi- 
tion was made for them by Governor King, but Governor Morton 
refused to surrender the oftenders, on the ground of informality in 
the papers. The papers were corrected and the demand repeated, 
but it was not complied with. 

19. Governor Morton, it was charged, had not, since the failure of 



51 



the insurrection, been quite so hospitable towards Dorr as his pre- 
vious encouragement had given tlie friends of tlie exiled chief to 
ex[)ect; and his omission to invite him into that State had beeu 
especially commented upon, by the " Algeriues," to the mortification 
of the other side. 

20. (Tovernor Morton had been a Judge before he was Governor, 
and had tried both Dillingham and Parmenter. 

21. Samuel W. King was Governor of Khode Island; Daniel P. 
King had just been elected Speaker of the Massachusetts House of 
Representatives by one majority, after a long contest. He was then 
a candidate for Congress in the Essex district, and was elected. 

22. This toast was only the repetition of a remark which INIr. 
Slocum was said to have made. 



23. 



Gen, Carpenter would laugh as heartily as anybody at these 
hits. He is freshly remembered at the bai*. His well known cos- 
tume, blue coat, brass buttons, and ruffled shirt, his grave courtesy 
in court, his kindness in social life, his persuasive address wlien 
talking to the jury will not be forgotten. There were many able men 
at the bar of Rhode Island in his time, and some of them thought 
that they were abler than Gen. Carpenter, but they all agreed that 
he won more cases than any of them. He died July, 1854.. 

24. Samuel Y. Atwell was an eloquent orator and a wonderful 
counsellor. About a quarter of a century has elapsed since his 
death, and no trace of him remains, except in the memories of the 
comparatively small number who have heard him in the General 
Assembly or in the courts. These can repeat passages of his speeches 
even now. It was he of whom John \Vhip|)le said that heliad never 
met his superior at the bar, and Mr. Whipple had met Mr. Webster 
and Jeremiah Mason. For many years he led the bar here, and was 
known as " Old Atwell." His tomb-stone shows that he was forty- 
seven years old when he died. He died in 1844. 

25. INIr Dorr was a refugee in New Hampshire, and Governor 
Hubbard, of that State, had refused to surrender him on the requisi- 
tion of Governor King, of lihode Island. 

20. The "three roguish chaps" were Parmenter, who had been a 
shoemaker, Dr. Brown and Dorr. 

27. The Dorrite papers charged that when their men fled from 
Acote's Hill, and the "Algeriues" entered Chepachet, that town was 
subjected to such atrocities as no other capital had suft'ered at the 
hands of a lawless soldiery. Affidavits were printed, testifying to 
valuables destroyed. Among them were a cooking stove, sundry tea 



52 



cups, tea spoons (i)ewter) bent out of shape, and a pair of lasting 
garters, belonging to a fair damsel avIio rejoiced in the name of 
"Ripsy Tift." 

28. AVlien the " Algerine " troops were stationed at Woonsocket, 
an order was issued — the authority for which was afterward disowned 
hy the Governor and Council, although there was no doubt that it 
came from the proper military authority— for a detachment, under 
command of Col. William P, Blodget, to arrest a number of the 
enemy, who ]iroved to be at the tavern of Mr. Crooks, just over the - 
line, in Bellingham, Massachusetts. The night was dark and rainy, 
and the men, whose knowledge of local geography might have been 
imperfect, did not stop at the line. Indeed, Col. Blodget always pro^ 
tested that the line had been washed away, and he could not find 
where it was. This invasion of the soil of Massachusetts was duly 
resented ; and althongh Mr. Crooks was ajipeased by the payment 
of nine hundred dollars, the ofltenders, such of them as could be iden- 
tified, were denjanded on requisition of the Governor of Massachu- 
setts, Is was a severe test of the high ground which had been taken 
in Rhode Island of the duty of a Governor to surrender an offender, 
on the demand of the Governor of another State, But it was met. 
Col. Blodget and Mr. Hendricks went to Dedham, where they stood 
trial, and were fined in a moderate sum. They were defended by 
John \Vhipi)le, Samuel Ames, and Samuel Currey. 

2[). Mr. Pearce had been charged with complicity in the arrange- 
ment by which the votes in Newport, for ihe " people's constitution," 
had been sw^elled to an enormou.s total, and hundreds of false names 
of duplicates and of absentees were returned. On some remarks 
upon this, and in defence of the right of absentees to vote by proxy, 
Mr. Dorr had said of Pearce " he intended no fraud." 

30. After the affair on Acote's Hill, Dorr found refuge in New 
Hampshire, where tlujre was great symiiathy for him. In August, 
1812, Timothj' Hoskins of that State was ariested in Providence, on 
suspicion of being the bearer of treasonable correspondence, between 
Dorr and his adherents, who, it was said, were preparing for another 
outbreak. He was examined before Edward H. Hazzard, Esq., and 
it appeared that he was the bearer of letters from Dorr, and that 
answers to them were upon his person, when he was arrested, but that 
he had contrived to jiass them to some of his friends, so that they 
were not seized. Among his baggage was found a carpet bag, con- 
taining important letters, not only from friends of the insurrectionary 
cause in Rhode Island, bnt from highly ]»rominent men in other 
States. Much indignation was manifested })y his friends at the 
seizure of these. 



53 



31. Most of tliose who are now living recall Governor Fenner'as 
the Democratic leader, who was lirm in the faith tliat Van Buren 
would beat Harrifson in 1841, as the head and front of the Law and 
Order ])arty, which suppressed the Dorr ilehellion, but there are 
some who remember that he was the first scholar in his class at col- 
lege, that he was a Doctor of Laws, that he was a Senator of the 
United States. Amotion of adjournment was madein the Supreme 
Court on occasion of his funeral, to which Chief Justice Durfee re- 
sponded as follows:— 

*' The Court assent to the motion of the Attorney General. The 
State never liad a truer friend than James Fenner. Never one more 
wise in council or firmer in action. When the remains of sucli a man 
are committed to the tomb, we think that the halls of Justice may 
well be silent, and that the seats of Judges and Jurors should be 
vacant." 

Praise from Judge Durfee was praise indeed. Governor Fenner 
died April 17, 1846. 




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